At Mass on Ash Wednesday, two days before the meeting, Father Leon Biernet of Our Lady of Pompeii gave his sermon about the abysmal decision of the Obama administration on birth control.  He encouraged his constituents to call their elected leaders.  He told them to take off work, to do whatever it took to get to this meeting.  Many kids were off school that week, and presumably many parents had some time off to be home with the kids.  Someone notified the local Catholic radio station (101.7, WLOF) and they put out the word over and over again.

Imagine the surprise of the Hochul team when the dutiful Catholics filed in, some more than thirty minutes early, for the meeting.  They filled the seats and many had to stand.  Attendees said Hochul’s handlers were huddled with cell phones, and doing up-and-down motions from their chairs to the hallway, as the room filled up.

Ken May was there.  His mother had given him an iPod a couple days earlier.  He was learning how to use it, and was practicing the video options.  It is probably safe to say his next video was one of the first he used that iPod for.  Ken was sitting next to Brad Gay from Clarence.  Ken practiced using iPod video on Brad’s question to Congresswoman Hochul.

Brad’s question:

“Under what portion of the constitution is the government allowed to require a private or religious organization to pay for anything for free?”

Hochul’s response:

“Well, basically, we’re not looking to the constitution on that aspect.”

Here’s Ken’s video, which has gone viral:  Kathy Hochul on birth control

Here’s the reporting from a local news station:

http://www.wgrz.com/news/article/157318/1/Congresswoman-Kathy-Hochul-Booed-Over-Birth-Control-Policy\

“We’re not gonna agree on this one. I’m gonna tell you that I will stand for our religious freedoms. But I don’t see a conflict here. Now that there’s been an accommodation that says religious institutions do not have to provide these services. So we’re just going to have to disagree on that.”

Like many, I am very angry about this decree from the Almighty Obama.  I’m proud of Father Leon, and my fellow Catholics for heeding the call.  I was out of town for the meeting, otherwise I would have been there.

Others have hit on the many, many reasons this decision was wrong, but the questioner brought up something else very interesting.  Brad asks why the government went right to birth control as a mandated product.

“So why don’t we provide free access to band aids or cancer screening?  Why is it contraception?  Aren’t those more important to health care than contraception?”

Obviously Obama picked contraception for a reason.  Does he want the Catholic hospitals to close, thus pushing more into Obamacare’s clutches?  Did he want to distract attention away from the economy?  Did he want yet another issue to drive a wedge between factions?

After asking myself those and other questions, I have decided that I don’t care what his reasons are anymore.  We need to fight against Obamacare with everything we have.  It has to be front and center of every question to our elected reps, or those running this year.  Repeal Repeal Repeal!

Election time is gearing up now.  People like Ken, Brad and Fr. Leon will be showing up out of nowhere.    We need to do the same – starting today through November.  I’m calling again today.  We have a Tea Party caucus happening in Western NY on Saturday.  A lawsuit was just won by a group downstate that MAY revolutionize the NY Republican Party.

Brad, a dad and project manager, from Clarence, NY pretty much owned Kathy Hochul.  Deer in the headlights owned.

Dear Congress:

We’re baaaaaaaacccckkk!

Love, The Tea Party

BTW… The Buffalo News has not carried this story as of today.  Note that the video has gone viral, this story made Hot Air days ago, and national radio has picked this up.  There are all sorts of comments from registered readers about this, but no article as of yet.  Wonder why?  Hmmm

ME:  My cable bill is $112.00 this month.  That’s $20.00 more than normal.  Why?

CABLE BILLING DEPARTMENT LADY:  Sir, thank you for calling.  We are pleased to inform you that you are now receiving 82 additional channels in your programming!

ME:  I didn’t order 82 more channels.  I don’t want them.  I want to pay the same price as before.

CBDL:  Sir, thank you for calling, and I’d be hapy to explain this change to you.  Our surveys show that 98% of our viewers watch Progressive Exploration and Relationship Verification programming.  So, we have decided to include, at no charge, these awesome educational channels in our regular programming.   We have also thrown in some other local programs, such as the “Adopt-a-Pet-of-the-Day”, and the ever popular “How to identify Emerald Ash Borers”, and “Approved Hiring List to Eradicate Emerald Ash Borers”.  Our researchers and viewers have indicated these to be the most educational channels and they are endorsed by the most influential in media.

ME:  Progressive Explor….. hey.. that’s PERV!!!! I’ve seen those – that’s porn!   I don’t want porn!  I have little kids.  That better not be showing up on my television on Saturday mornings!

CBDL:  Thank you for spending this time discussing this with me today sir.  You can always opt to not watch these educational shows, if you choose.

ME:  I DON’T WANT PORN.  I DON’T WANT MY KIDS TO SEE PORN!  I DON’T WANT TO PAY FOR PORN.  Take it off!  It goes against everything I believe in!

CBDL:  I appreciate you expressing your opinions today, sir.  I can assist you in blocking them, if you wish.

ME:  I don’t want to block them.  I have to remember to re-block everything if the box resets.  Resetting options will change, and I’ll have to call you again, and wait on hold.  I don’t want them.  I don’t want to pay for them.  Take them off my TV, and put me back to the programming I had before.

CBDL:  I’m so happy you have called today sir!  I just want to let you know that these channels can help educate you and your children in the methods of safe sex.  And, they can provide an acceptable societal avenue for sexual deviancies.  Research has shown that watching shows such as these can reduce crimes of a sexual nature.

ME:  WHAT???  Take this cr@p off my TV today!  I know you only have to push a few buttons.  I don’t want to wait.  And, I don’t want to pay for this.

CBDL:  I am grateful for the opportunity to assist you today, sir.  I can see that you are not happy with the additional channels that 98% of our customers have expressed an interest in.  If you would like, I can try to remove these from your feed today.

ME:  Yes, please!  TODAY!  And, I don’t want to pay $20.00 more a month for this.  And I don’t want the additional taxes and fees.

CCDL:  I appreciate you taking the time to call us today, sir.  I will be happy to attend to these wishes.  We only hope to make you a happy customer.  I am submitting a request to our programming department for these channels to be removed.  That change should take effect within the next 2-4 weeks.

ME:  So, I can’t let my kids watch TV for the next 4 weeks, or they might discover the porn channels?

CBDL:  That’s a great question, sir.  Might I suggest watching TV with them, so you can monitor their viewing.  Or, spend the day outside with them exercising or recycling.  Or, you can show them all the great ways to make salad today.

ME:  Look, just take the freaking channels off my TV.  And put my bill back to what it was before.

CBDL:  Sir, I thank you again for calling us.  I have submitted the request to remove these educational channels.  If you or your children would like them back in the future, I would like to inform you that you or your children can call us again and we will be happy to restore these channels

ME:  And my bill?

CBDL:  Sir, your bill for this month is $112.00.

ME:  WHAT????  That’s the same as the bill in my hand!!!  I said to fix my bill.

CBDL:  Sir, I have submitted the request to remove the channels offensive to you.  I’m sorry, but your bill does not change, based upon your programming options.

ME:  WHAT?  So, you’re saying I have to PAY for these channels, whether I get them or not?

CBDL:  Certainly not sir.  These new channels are free.  The service delivery has gone up by $20.00 for your entire region.  Is there anything else I can help you with today?

ME:  I want to cancel my cable.  You people are crooks.  I don’t want this garbage on my TV.  I don’t want to pay for it.

CBDL:  Sir, you are under a lifetime contract for your cable service.  It has been mandated by Congress that everyone receive some sort of cable programming.  It’s only fair that everyone can receive equal programming.  You can not cancel it.  I hope you have a nice day sir.  Please call us again any time you need assistance.

(Fight Obamacare and all it stands for.  Fight like hell.  The time is now.)

To summarize, 45-year old Kathleen Byham was leaving a Wal-Mart in rural western New York.  An illegal Honduran going to buy cartridges for an air pistol, in order to ‘scare’ someone else, impulsively decided ‘to get out of here’ and repeatedly stabbed her in broad daylight, in order to take her car.  As she lay dying in the parking lot, he and his friends fled the area, minus the air gun and keys.

Meanwhile, our federal government that is constitutionally responsible for our safety and protection from foreign insurgents takes its own states to task for trying to do the job the feds won’t do.

This didn’t happen in Arizona or Texas.  This is not a Mexican problem.  This is not a southeastern US issue.  It is an illegal immigration issue for the entire United States.   We are under assault from foreigners and our government is doing nothing.

Illegal immigrants – that first word is key.  Our federal government needs to enforce the laws NOW.  Take away the jobs by enforcing the sanctions against employers.  Empower local law enforcement to assist in enforcement – they know where the illegals live and work. Just as local departments get a cut of the fines when they enforce state vehicle laws, give them an incentive to rid their counties of illegals.  There is money in congressional budgets to support many causes that are constitutionally questionable – this one wouldn’t be.  Take away the benefits – check out how Alabama’s laws helped with the problem even before they took effect.

You want to come into this country?  Get in line.  Learn about our American history.  Learn English.  Keep your heritage, religion and traditions that are legal here, but respect the ones held by those here before you.  We want people here who will work, pay taxes and better themselves by their own perseverance.   If you don’t like them apples, then get out or don’t show up in the first place.

RIP Kathleen Byham.  May your brutal murderer get justice.  May your family and friends find solace in the beautiful person you were for your time on this earth.  And may our Republic survive against this assault on our  citizens.

One thing I remember him saying:  ‘If a politician isn’t crooked before he gets elected, he ALWAYS is crooked after.’  It took me many years to understand what he means.  The process corrupts even the most honest person.

This diary is about betrayal.

Antoine Thompson was a crooked politician.  He is a long-time politician from Western New York who knew the game and played it.  He suffered a stunning defeat for the 60th NY State Senate seat, won by Democrat-turned-Republican Mark Grisanti.  In a district with a 104,000 / 22,000 Democrat/Republican advantage, this indeed was a squeaker for Mark Grisanti, who was finally declared winner by 525 votes four weeks after the election.

I met Mr. Grisanti in person June 12, 2010 at a well-attended ‘Meet the Candidates Night’ sponsored by TEANewYork.  He gave a rousing presentation and, among other things, stated he was unequivocally opposed to same-sex marriage in New York State.  No wishy-washy stuff there.  He said it, he meant it.  Bank on that, Buffalo.

There was another candidate at the same Meet-up, Marc Coppola. running for the same Senate seat.  He gave a decent presentation but had some unfavorable political history, as far as I was concerned.  As a voting member of TeaNewYork, I would have voted to endorse Coppola if Grisanti had not been so good.  Grisanti went on to win the TeaNewYork endorsement, and was the beneficiary of subsequent fundraisers and boots-on-the-ground campaigning from TeaNY members and supporters.

Same-sex marriage had come up in New York before.  The last time, in 2009, it was defeated in the Senate by a 38-24 vote.  Governor Andrew Cuomo made the issue one of his key initiatives (cuz NY doesn’t have any pressing fiscal stuff going on, ya know).  NY had a good chance to retake the Senate in 2010, and we TEANY people knew it.  The marriage question was a pivotal issue in selection of candidates, especially those running for NY Senate.

As noted above, the 525-vote margin win for Grisanti was a squeaker.  Every vote, every dollar, every phone call, every volunteer effort counted on election night.  Grisanti won that election in part because of his endorsement by TeaNewYork, and he won THAT endorsement because of his declaration against same-sex marriage.

This past Friday night, Senator Grisanti cast his vote in favor of same-sex marriage in NY.  I almost threw up when I saw his little speech before the vote.  He claims the amendment to protect religious institutions was the game changer for him.  After all, it was going to pass eventually, and religious institutions would not be so protected if it wasn’t for our great Senator Grisanti holding out until these clauses are in there.

Grisanti will almost certainly lose in the next election.  His tenure may very well have ended just by the number of D’s vs R’s anyways.  This vote, no matter how you feel about the issue, can be used by those both for and against gay marriage, as it goes to his integrity.  Politicians lie, we all know that.  But it isn’t always so easy to prove it.

While I have absolutely NO proof, my gut tells me Grisanti has some political future with dear NY leader Cuomo, who certainly can now claim this negotiating prize when he runs for president in 2016.

I don’t know, and I don’t care.  Mr. Grisanti – you lied, to my face, to those of us who endorsed you because of how you said you would vote on this issue.  The Buffalo News today quoted others, using words like courage, strength and integrity when describing you.  You, sir, have NONE of those qualities.  You are a liar.

Mr. Grisanti – I promise you this – I will work as hard, most likely harder, to elect another person for the Republican primary in the 60th NYS Senate seat.

Dad, as always, what you taught me rings true.  Miss ya.

SKully

P.S.  I love WNY – the people are real, good housing is inexpensive, the weather is nowhere near as bad as the national news makes it out to be, and there are some of the prettiest sights around.  Within an hour, usually less, I can get to Canada, wine country, mountains, lakes, rivers, bike trails, snow- and water-skiing, professional sports and world class art.  But when my family obligations no longer tie me here, I will be in the market for a new state.  It will hurt to leave.  Until then, I will continue trying to empty the ocean into the little hole in the sand, along with my few conservative friends.

The big picture:  Erie County budget cuts chopped funding for many smaller cultural organizations.  A private foundation tried to save the cultural groups, using private money.  The foundation representative presenting the proposal to the legislature was publicly grilled and insulted.  Said proposal was scrapped a day later, and the organization is distributing the money without the ‘help’ of a legislature more intent on scoring political points rather than actually helping the groups they SAY they want to help.

Background
The current Erie County Legislature is made up of 9 Democrats and 6 Republicans.  The county executive submits a budget, and the legislature can choose to add or delete items.  The county executive can veto additional expenses, but not decreases.  The legislature can override the vetoes with a 2/3 vote (10 needed for override).

Executive Chris Collins (R), submitted a budget that funded only the ‘big 10′ cultural groups.  The Democrat-controlled legislature decreased funding for several items that Collins funded, then added back funding for much of these cultural cuts.  Collins vetoed all increases, and the legislature did not have the 10 votes to override.

In comes the O’Shei foundation, an evil, rich mostly lily white private group that has done nothing but bad things for western New York.  OK, maybe NOT.  Robert Gioia, President of the O’Shei group, got wind of these budget cuts back in October.  He reportedly approached County Executive Collins with a proposal for a 400 K / 100K private/public funding of these culturals.  He then approached Democrat legislators Lynn Marinelli with the same plan.  When the county budget process still did not provide any funding for these culturals, Gioia presented his proposal to the Republican caucus of the legislature.   This time, Gioia was successful, and he was invited to publicly present this proposal to the full legislature.  What happened then was simply unbelievable.

Legislature Chairwoman Barbara Miller-Williams showed up late to the meeting and missed Gioia’s initial presentation.  Miffed that she knew nothing about this GIFT to the public trough, she grilled, berated and insulted Mr. Gioia.  Let me put it another way.  Evil, rich white people were trying to GIVE money for the public good, and Ms. Miller-Williams was unhappy because Democrats did not get to take credit for saving the day.

Mr. Gioia and the O’Shei Foundation sent a letter to the legislature the next day, taking back their proposal.  They will be distributing the foundation’s money as THEY see fit, without the legislature getting to politicize any of it.

What is the sweetest part of all of this?  The budget is LESS than what Executive Collins proposed, taxes might (gasp!) go DOWN, and the Democrats look like fools.Way to go Chairwoman Miller-Williams!

Craig Johnson (D) has said he will appeal the judge certification of the election, claiming his loss by 451 out of over 85,000 votes cast needs a hand recount. With new voting machines in use in all of New York this election, forcing a hand recount will set the stage for very contentious, drawn-out elections from here on in.

A few days ago, Democrat Antoine Thompson conceded to Mark Grisanti in a district where no Republican even ran two years ago.

This is GREAT news for New York.  This will make a huge difference in the redistricting outcome, as New York is likely to lose two congressional seats.  The Republicans now hold a very slim 32-30 majority.  But this Senate win will at least let them sit at the table.

The election last month saw the most congressional flips of any state – six total.  This makes New York a little less blue.  Before the election, 2 of 29 delegates were Republican.  The new congress will now have 8 of 29 delegates from the R’s.  That, and the NY Senate flip, gives me hope that we still can change New York.

I can understand it not making Wednesday’s 11 PM news, as it happened around 10 PM.  However, I was baffled as to why it didn’t hit any of the news circuits yesterday.  After all, we all heard about the horrible violence that took place against Dr. Rowland’s opponent earlier this year, during the health care debates.  Congresswoman Louise ‘deem it passed’ Slaughter’s office had a brick thrown through it.

A broken window is reasonable cause for making national news.  I’m waiting to see what an apparent actual threat to a PERSON will cause.

The NYPost had one the least offensive headlines:  “Paladino says kids shouldn’t be ‘brainwashed’ into thinking homosexuality is OK”.    Salon (sorry, not linking this) says “Carl Paladino goes after gays”.   My favorite  headline is from NY Times“Paladino Attacks Gays in Brooklyn Speech”

But here’s the thing.  Paladino did not attack gays.    I’m paraphrasing, but he DID say that society doesn’t need to make being gay ‘normal’.  He didn’t say gays were unequal, should be discriminated against, were dysfunctional, etc.  He DID say “Don’t misquote me as wanting to hurt homosexual people in any way. That would be a dastardly lie.”

Many news outlets were also reporting that these comments were made just as NY Police announced progress in the torturing of 3 gay men.   Right, because Paladino’s speech and the vicious beatings are related.

His campaign also issued this statement to counter the lies that many media outlets were saying:

STATEMENT OF CARL PALADINO
CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR OF NEW YORK

(NEW YORK, NY) - In reaction to inaccurate media reports of his comments to Orthodox Jewish leaders today in Brooklyn, New York, Carl Paladino issued the following statement:

“In my speech today to Orthodox Jewish leaders in New York City, I noted my opposition to gay marriage, inspired by my Catholic beliefs. I also oppose discrimination of any form. I did not say this phrase, as was inaccurately attributed to me by some media outlets:

“There is nothing to be proud of in being a dysfunctional homosexual. That is not how God created us.”

I do not agree with this passage, nor did I say it. Apparently a few reporters relied upon suggested remarks distributed by my hosts at the synagogue in Williamsburg after my departure, not the actual statement I made. My campaign staff has worked with the inaccurate outlets and most corrected their stories after viewing video of the event.

I unequivocally have no other reservations about homosexuality. I enjoy a close relationship with my nephew who is gay and I certainly consider him to be a functional child of God.”

It is refreshing to hear someone speak their mind, and say what so many of us are thinking.   There are too many little groups to be politically correct about.  Gays, African-Americans, Native Americans, Hispanic-Americans, anything-American, width-challenged people, vertically-challenged people, women, blah, blah blah.  We are all God’s children.  No one deserves more ‘rights’ than any other.

I don’t know his name recognition numbers in the NYC area but in Western New York he is very well known. He has purchased radio ads with his own money, calling out local leaders for many shady moves. He’s not afraid to call things as they are, and it gets people talking about what’s wrong in NY.

He has the right message – now we need to see if he can get the funding and support.